JP5001340B2 - Barrette - Google Patents

Abstract

A hair clip comprises a body, jaws mounted on the body and a jaw opening arrangement to allow the jaws to be opened single handed. The jaws have tines and are mounted at spaced positions on the body so as to be pivotable at the positions to resiliently grip hair in the tines so that the outer surface of the clip is substantially cylindrical. The spacing of the pivot positions on the body enables a body to be used, which can be decorated or hollow to enhance the aesthetics of the hair clip.

Description

  The present invention relates to a hair clip, and more particularly, to a hair clip having a rotatable jaw for gripping hair.

  One type of prior art clip that uses a pivotable jaw is commonly known as a butterfly clip. These clips have two teeth that have comb teeth and are connected along a pivot axis. In order to grip the hair by elastically biasing the comb teeth of the jaw toward the closed position, a spring mechanism is provided on the rotating shaft. In order to allow the comb teeth to be disengaged and the jaws to open, the jaws are provided with a lever member that extends from the jaws away from the comb teeth. This makes the clip a typical “butterfly” appearance, so it is the common name for the clip. When the clip is attached, the most visible parts are a lever member, that is, a “wing” and a rotation / spring mechanism. The problem is that these clips can be easily used with one hand, but the rotation and spring mechanism does not look very good. The device disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,862,815 addresses this problem by providing a cover over the spring mechanism. However, this cover needs to bend or fold when the hair clip is opened and the wings are closed. Thus, the cover mechanism is complex to install and fragile, and can easily become unusable, especially when the clip is aged.

  Another type of clip that provides a pivotable jaw is disclosed in US Pat. No. 6,142,159. This clip is a hairpin made of a single flat strip of elastic material. The ends of the flat strip pieces form comb teeth that join when in the closed position. In one example, the clip can be opened by pulling the two ends apart. This task is more complicated than that required to open the butterfly clip because it requires the use of both hands. In another example in US Pat. No. 6,142,159, a handle portion is provided and the strip piece bends in the central region. This allows for one-handed work but requires that the central region be flexible. Thereby, the decorativeness of the central region is limited.

  In US Pat. No. 6,186,151, a combination of a grooming device and a hair clip is disclosed. In this case, a grooming device such as a brush is accommodated in the main body, and the grooming device is hinged from the main body to the outside during grooming. Can be extended. The body holds two hinge arms that allow the device to be used as a hair clip. However, this device is bulky and does not look good as a hair clip.

  Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved hair clip that can overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

  In general, the present invention provides a pair of jaws each having a comb tooth and a body part to which each jaw is pivotably and elastically attached, the pair of jaws being closed to each other. Biased to position. A jaw opening device is provided to allow the pair of jaws to be opened with one hand. The pair of jaws are attached to the main body at a rotation position that defines a rotation axis that is laterally spaced from each other.

  Clips in use because the body can be decorated or made inconspicuous by separating the pivot axes laterally from one another and functioning to hide the pivot mechanism if necessary Increase the beauty of the appearance.

  The present invention includes any body portion (such as a single body portion or a plurality of body portions) that functions to hold the effective pivot points of a pair of jaws laterally spaced from each other. The jaws can also include any arrangement of single or multiple jaw portions. When a plurality of jaw parts are provided, the jaw parts can be pivotably connected together to form a jaw part rotated at a plurality of points. In such a device, the pivot axes of each other are substantially parallel. The jaw opening device is provided with any appropriate part or collection of parts to push the jaws pivotally to the open position against the elasticity of the elastic connection between the jaws and the body part. enable.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the main body portion has an outer surface, and the rotation mechanism is disposed on the main body portion away from the outer surface. Therefore, the rotation mechanism is hidden in the hair when the hair clip is attached.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the opening device is a lever member that extends from the pair of jaws at a position away from the respective comb teeth, and moves the pair of jaws by a lever around a rotation axis. A handle portion that functions as:

  In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the opening device is disposed within the pair of jaws and is operable in the direction of the pivot axis to engage each jaw and bias the jaws open. An engagement member is provided. In this embodiment, the jaw engaging portion may have an inclined engaging surface for engaging each jaw and biasing the jaws open. Further, the jaw engaging portion can be held by the main body. For example, the jaw engaging portion is slidably attached to the main body, thereby enabling the jaw engaging portion to slide relative to the main body and engage the jaw. Can do.

  In another embodiment of the present invention, an elastic portion is disposed between the body portion and the respective jaw portion to provide an elastic connection between the body portion and the jaw portion. In this embodiment, each jaw can be attached to the main body by a pivot pin, and the elastic part can comprise a spring member that engages the main body and the jaw. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, each jaw portion and the body portion are formed from an integral part, and at the pivot point, the part has a thin cross section so that the jaw portion pivots relative to the body portion Elastic members are also provided to urge the jaws to the closed position. In another alternative embodiment of the invention, the elastic portion comprises an elastic material portion connecting the jaw and the body portion.

  In another embodiment of the invention, the body portion comprises a base to which the jaws are connected and at least one decorative cover. In this embodiment, the at least one decorative cover is removable in use, thereby allowing different covers to be connected to the base.

  In another embodiment of the invention, the body is formed with a narrow edge region portion defining a central opening through the body between the pivot axes. Therefore, in this embodiment, since a wearer's hair can be seen through a main body, a hair clip becomes difficult to see.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the jaws has an arcuate cross section that, when in use, forms a volume sufficient to hold hair between the body and the jaws.

  In one embodiment of the invention, each of the jaws comprises a plurality of elastically hinged jaw portions, each axis of the hinge connection being parallel to the laterally spaced axis. is there.

  One aspect of the present invention includes a main body, a pair of jaws attached to the main body, and a jaw opening device that allows the pair of jaws to be opened with one hand. Each part has comb teeth and is elastically hinged to the main body part to bias the comb teeth so as to grip the hair, and the pair of jaw parts are spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction The jaw opening device is connected to the main body at a hinge position that defines an axis, and the jaw opening device includes a pair of handle portions extending in a direction away from the comb teeth from the pair of jaw portions, and the handle portions are arranged around the axis. By pushing, it is possible to open a pair of jaws, and the body portion provides a hair clip that includes a recess that accommodates the hair that is gripped by the comb teeth.

  Another aspect of the present invention includes a main body, a pair of jaws attached to the main body, and a jaw opening device that enables the pair of jaws to be opened with one hand. Each part has comb teeth and is elastically hinged to the main body part to bias the comb teeth so as to grip the hair, and the pair of jaws are separated from each other laterally. The main body is connected to the main body at a hinge position that defines a shaft, and the main body includes a base to which each jaw is connected, and at least one decorative cover. The at least one decorative cover is in use. A hair clip is provided that is removable, thereby allowing different covers to be coupled to the base.

  Another aspect of the present invention includes a main body, a pair of jaws attached to the main body, and a jaw opening device that enables the pair of jaws to be opened with one hand. Each part has comb teeth and is elastically hinged to the main body part to bias the comb teeth so as to grip the hair, and the pair of jaws are separated from each other laterally. Connected to the body at a hinge position that defines the shaft, the body has a narrow edge that defines a large opening between the shafts, providing a hair clip that allows the wearer's hair to be seen through the large opening when worn To do.

  Another aspect of the present invention includes a main body, a pair of jaws attached to the main body, and a jaw opening device that enables the pair of jaws to be opened with one hand. Each part has comb teeth and is elastically hinged to the main body part to urge the closed position so as to match each other's comb teeth to grip the hair, and the pair of jaw parts are transverse to each other A pair of jaws and body portions defining a generally cylindrical outer surface when the pair of jaws are in a closed position, wherein the hair clips are coupled to the body portion at a hinge position that defines a hinge axis spaced apart from each other; To do.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a main body portion extending along an axis, a comb tooth attached to the main body portion, and each having comb teeth and elastically hinged to the main body portion so as to match each other's comb teeth. A pair of jaws connected to the body at a hinge position defining a hinge axis parallel to the axis and laterally spaced from each other, and the pair of jaws with one hand A jaw opening device that allows opening, and extends from the jaws to cover at least a portion of the gap between the body and the pair of jaws, and under the body when the pair of jaws open A hair clip is provided that includes a cover portion arranged to move upward.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a body portion extending along an axis, a pair of jaw portions attached to the body portion and having comb teeth, respectively, and connecting the respective jaw portions to the body portion to each other. An elastic hinge mechanism at a hinge position that defines a hinge axis parallel to the axis and laterally spaced from each other, and a pair of jaws are opened with one hand A jaw opening device that enables the device to cover the elastic hinge mechanism from the outside between each jaw and the main body and extends from the main body and is relatively inward under the jaw when the jaw opens. A hinge cover portion comprising a portion arranged to move inward or a portion extending from the jaw and arranged to move relatively inwardly below the body portion when the jaw opens. A hair clip is provided.

  Another aspect of the present invention includes a main body, a pair of jaws attached to the main body, and a jaw opening device that enables the pair of jaws to be opened with one hand. Each part has comb teeth and is elastically hinged to the main body part to urge the closed position so as to match each other's comb teeth to grip the hair, and the pair of jaw parts are transverse to each other A hair clip that is connected to the main body at a hinge position that defines a shaft spaced apart from each other, and the pair of comb teeth are arranged to form a substantially single surface when the pair of jaws are in the closed position. I will provide a.

It is a perspective view of the hair clip concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is an exploded view of a hair clip concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the hair clip which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention in a closed position. It is sectional drawing of the hair clip which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention in an open position. FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a hair clip according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the hair clip which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is an end elevation of a hair clip concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the hair clip which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention in a closed position. It is sectional drawing of the hair clip which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention in an open position. It is a perspective view of the hair clip which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention which shows the inner side of the hair clip in an open position. It is a perspective view of the hair clip which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the hair clip which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the hair clip which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a hair clip according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The hair clip of this embodiment includes a main body 1 formed of a base 1a and a cover 1b connected to the base 1a. The decorative cover may be removable in use so that the cover can be changed, or simply fixed. The fixing cover can fix various covers to the same base 1a during the manufacturing process. The base 1a has an elongated arcuate holding surface that holds an elongated arcuate decorative cover 1b. Under the holding surface, two arms 4a and 4b extending in a direction away from the base 1a at positions separated from both sides of the base 1a are provided. The arms 4a and 4b have rotation holes 5a and 5b through which the pivot pins 6a and 6b pass.

  The two opposing elongated jaws 2 and 3 have a curved or generally arcuate cross section. The pivot arms 2a and 3a extend inward from the upper edges of the jaws 2 and 3, respectively, and have pivot holes for passing the pivot pins 6a and 6b. In this way, the jaws 2 and 3 are attached to the base 1a so as to rotate around the rotation axes that are separated from each other. The pivot arms 2 and 3 have upper lips 2b and 3b, respectively, which serve to limit the closed position of the jaws 2 and 3 by engaging the inner surface of the base 1a. Cover portions 2d and 2e, and 3d and 3e extend parallel to the pivot arm from the upper edge of jaws 2 and 3, and between jaws 2 and 3 and base 1a when the jaws are in the closed position It spans the gap. Comb teeth 2c and 3c extend toward each other and grip the hair along one edge of jaws 2 and 3 away from pivot arms 2a and 3a and cover portions 2d, 2e, 3d and 3e, respectively. It is supposed to be. In the closed position, the comb teeth 2c and 3c of the jaws 2 and 3 mesh. The jaws 2 and 3 are provided with handle portions or “wings” 2f and 3f, which extend along the bodies of the jaws 2 and 3 and from the jaws 2 and 3 are the comb teeth 2c and 3c. Extends near the upper edge of jaws 2 and 3 at a distance. Since the handle portions 2f and 3f are arranged above the turning point, the handle portion is held between the fingers of one hand and pressed strongly to push the jaws 2 and 3 to the open position. it can.

  Further, springs 7a and 7b having spring arms are attached to the pivot pins 6a and 6b, and the spring arms engage the arms 4a and 4b and the rotating arms 2a and 3a to urge them away from each other. Thereby biasing jaws 2 and 3 to the closed position.

  In this embodiment, it can be seen that the jaws 2 and 3 are pivoted around the laterally spaced pivot positions on both sides of the main body 1 so that the pivot mechanism is hidden under the main body 1. Therefore, the beauty of the appearance of the hair clip can be enhanced by decorating the main body 1. In this embodiment, the appearance can be changed as desired by changing the cover 1a.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the jaw opening device.

  The hair clip of this embodiment comprises a body 10 having an elongated arcuate decorative outer surface. Under the decorative surface, two arms 10 a and 10 b extending in a direction away from the main body 10 are provided at positions separated from both sides of the main body 10. The arms 10a and 10b have pivot holes for passing the pivot pins 15a and 15b.

  The two opposing elongated jaws 11 and 12 have a curved or generally arcuate cross section. The pivot arms 11a and 12a extend inwardly from the upper edges of the jaws 11 and 12, respectively, and have pivot holes for passing the pivot pins 15a and 15b. In this way, the jaws 11 and 12 are attached to the main body 10 so as to rotate around the rotation axes that are separated from each other. The comb teeth 11c and 12c extend toward each other along one edge of the jaws 11 and 12 away from the rotating arms 11a and 12a, respectively, and grip the hair. In the closed position, the comb teeth 11c and 12c of the jaws 11 and 12 mesh.

  An opening member 13 is provided for engaging and opening the jaws 11 and 12. The main body 10 is provided with ridges 10c and 10d extending along the inner edge, and an engagement slot 10e disposed on the inner surface of the main body for engaging the opening member. The main body 10 is also provided with an end plate 10f extending from one end of the inner surface in the vicinity of the engagement slot 10e. The opening member 13 includes a main portion 13a having a cross section that fits into the inner surface of the main body 10, and grooves 13b formed on both side surfaces of the main portion 13a along the raised portions 10c and 10d of the main body 10. The opening member 13 can slide in the lateral direction along the main body 10. The opening member 13 also has an arm portion 13c extending from the main portion 13a. The arm portion 13c has an inclined surface 13d that engages with the rotating arms 11a and 12a of the jaw and urges and opens the jaws 11 and 12. The opening member 13 has a latch member 13e that engages with the engaging slot 10e of the main body 10 and prevents the opening member 13 from being detached from the main body 10 at the end of the arm portion. The hair clip can be opened with one hand by holding the hair clip with one hand and pressing the release member 13 and the end plate 10f with the thumb and the remaining finger of the other hand.

  Further, springs 16a and 16b having spring arms are attached to the pivot pins 15a and 15b. The spring arms urge the arms 10a and 10b and the rotating arms 11a and 12a to move away from each other. Thereby biasing jaws 2 and 3 to the closed position. The opening member 13 can be operated against the urging force of the springs 15a and 15b.

  In this embodiment, it can be seen that the jaws 11 and 12 pivot about the laterally spaced pivot positions on both sides of the body 10 so that the pivot mechanism is hidden under the body 10. Therefore, the beauty of the appearance of the hair clip can be enhanced by decorating the main body 10.

  In this embodiment, the surface 13d of the opening member 13 that engages the arms 4a and 4b is flat, but this surface can be any suitable shape that increases the opening force to open the jaws applied to the arms 4a and 4b. Can be. For example, the surface can be formed from two opposing inclined surfaces to have a triangular cross section.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The hair clip of this embodiment is shorter than the hair clip of the first embodiment, and the body 100 has a large opening.

  The main body 100 of this embodiment is formed of a thin member that forms an opening between two rotation shafts that support the jaw portions 101 and 102. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the clip is attached, the wearer's hair can be seen from the opening. This makes the clip inconspicuous. Further, the jaw turning mechanism is attached to the lower side or the inner side of the clip, so that it is hidden by the wearer's hair during use.

  In this embodiment, a cover that can be detachably attached to the main body 100 to cover the opening can be provided. Thus, the wearer can select whether or not to attach a decorative cover, and can select which decorative cover to use.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the attachment of the jaw part to the main body can be performed by thinning the material with respect to the first embodiment.

  The hair clip of this embodiment comprises a body 20 having an elongated arcuate holding surface. On both sides of the body, two jaws 21 and 22 are connected along the elongated edge of the body 20. The connection is made at portions 25 and 26 where the material is thin between jaws 21 and 22 and body 20. Thereby, a hinge extending along the edge of the main body 20, that is, a turning point is formed. Thus, the body 20 and the jaws 21 and 22 can be formed of the same material with a thin area between them, for example a plastic material. Alternatively, the body 20 and the jaws 21 and 22 are formed of three parts and can be joined by connecting the thin portions together.

  The spring or elastic member 20 provides elasticity that biases the jaws 21 and 22 to the closed position inside the jaws 21 and 22 and the body. The jaws 21 and 22 are provided with handle portions 21a and 22a, which allow the hair clip to be operated with one hand. The jaws 21 and 22 have comb teeth 21b and 22b for gripping hair.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the rotational axis of the jaw is displaced in the lateral direction, so that a decorative main body can be used, and one-handed operation is also possible. The rotation mechanism is displaced on both sides of the decorative body.

  Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment is different from the fourth embodiment in that the rotatable attachment of the jaw to the main body is performed by a portion of the elastic material that interconnects the jaw and the main body.

  The hair clip of this embodiment comprises a body 30 having an elongated arcuate holding surface. Two jaws 31 and 32 are connected to the sides of the body along the elongated edge of the body 30. The connection is made at the portion of the elastic material 33 and 34 between the jaws 31 and 32 and the body 30. Thereby, a hinge extending along the edge of the main body 30, that is, a turning point is formed. Thus, the body 30 and the jaws 31 and 32 are formed of three parts and are joined by connection with the elastic material portions 33 and 34.

  The jaws 31 and 32 are provided with handle portions 31a and 32a to allow the hair clip to be operated with one hand. The jaws 31 and 32 have comb teeth 31b and 31b for gripping hair.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the rotational axis of the jaw is displaced in the lateral direction, so that a decorative main body can be used, and one-handed operation is also possible. The rotation mechanism is displaced on both sides of the decorative body.

  FIG. 14 shows yet another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the jaw portions 41 and 42 are formed of a plurality of jaw portions 41c, 41d, 42c, and 42d as compared with the fifth embodiment.

  The hair clip of this embodiment comprises a body 40 having an elongated arcuate retaining surface. Two jaws 41 and 42 are arranged on both sides of the body 40 so as to be hinged along the elongated edge of the body 40 and to be elastic. The jaw portions 41 and 42 are formed of a plurality of jaw portions 41c, 41d, 42c and 42d. The first jaw portions 41c and 42c are hinged to the body 40 by elastic material portions 44a and 43a, respectively. The second jaw portions 41d and 42d are hinged to the first jaw portions 41c and 42c by elastic material portions 44b and 43b, respectively. Handle portions 41a and 42a extend from the second jaw portions 41d and 42d, and comb teeth 41b and 42b are provided on the second jaw portions 41d and 42d.

  Thus, in this embodiment, the elastic material portions 44a, 43a, 44b and 43b provide a hinge connection parallel to the axis of the elongated body 40.

  In all the embodiments described above, the hair clip can be made from any suitable material, such as a decorative plastic material, or from a metal such as gold or silver if the hair clip is a jewelery. . The elastic member or spring can be made of any suitable material such as a metal spring or a plastic spring that provides a spring force between the jaw and the body to bias the jaw to the closed position. The hair clip can have any length and need not be elongated. Moreover, artificial hair can also be attached to a hair clip, and when a wearer wears a clip, hair can be shown long.

  Although the present invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications are within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (14)

The main body,
A pair of jaws attached to the main body,
With a jaw opening device that makes it possible to open these pair of jaws with one hand,
The pair of jaw portions each have comb teeth and are connected to the main body portion by an elastic hinge mechanism to bias the comb teeth to grip the hair,
The pair of jaws are coupled to the body at a hinge position that defines mutually laterally spaced axes,
The jaw opening device includes a pair of handle portions extending in a direction away from the comb teeth from the pair of jaw portions, and pushes the handle portions around the axis to open the pair of jaw portions. Make it possible,
The main body includes a hair accommodating recess that accommodates hair held by the comb teeth,
A hinge cover part covers the elastic hinge mechanism between the jaw part and the body part from the outside of the hair clip;
The hinge cover portion extends from the main body portion and is arranged to move relatively downward and inward when the jaw portion is opened, or extends from the jaw portion and the jaw portion. A hair clip comprising a portion arranged to move relative to the lower inward of the main body when the portion is opened. The hair clip according to claim 1, wherein the main body has an outer surface, and the elastic hinge mechanism connects each of the jaws to the main body at a position away from the outer surface. The hair clip according to claim 2, wherein the elastic hinge mechanism includes a pivot pin that attaches each of the jaw portions to the body portion, and a spring member that engages the body portion and the jaw portion. The main body and each of the jaws are formed from a single piece, and the elastic hinge mechanism is thinned to allow relative rotation of the jaw and the main body. The hair clip according to claim 2, wherein the hair clip is formed from an elastic member engaged with the jaw part and the body part. The hair clip according to claim 2, wherein the elastic hinge mechanism includes an elastic material portion that connects the jaw part and the main body part. The hair clip according to claim 1, wherein the main body includes a base to which each of the jaws is connected and at least one decorative cover. 7. A hair clip according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the decorative covers is removable in use, thereby allowing different covers to be connected to the base. The hair clip according to claim 1, wherein the body portion has a narrow edge portion defining a large opening between the shafts, and the wearer's hair is visible from the large opening when worn. The hair clip according to claim 1, wherein each of the jaws has an arcuate cross section so that a volume sufficient to sandwich hair is formed between the main body and the jaw in use. . Each of the jaws is divided into a plurality of jaw parts, and the adjacent jaw parts are elastically hinged, and each axis of the hinges is connected to the laterally spaced axes. The hair clip according to claim 1, which is parallel. The hair clip according to claim 1, wherein the body has a substantially arcuate cross section. The hair clip according to claim 1, wherein the pair of jaws and the body define a substantially cylindrical outer surface when the pair of jaws are in a closed position. The main body,
A pair of jaws attached to the main body,
With a jaw opening device that makes it possible to open these pair of jaws with one hand,
The pair of jaw portions each have comb teeth and are connected to the main body portion by an elastic hinge mechanism to bias the comb teeth to grip the hair,
The pair of jaws are coupled to the body at a hinge position that defines mutually laterally spaced axes,
The jaw opening device includes a pair of handle portions extending in a direction away from the comb teeth from the pair of jaw portions, and pushes the handle portions around the axis to open the pair of jaw portions. Make it possible,
The main body includes a hair accommodating recess that accommodates hair held by the comb teeth,
A cover portion extends from the jaw portion and covers at least part of a gap between the main body portion and the pair of jaw portions, and moves below or above the main body portion when the pair of jaw portions open. A hair clip that is arranged to be. A hinge cover portion that covers the elastic hinge mechanism between each of the jaw portion and the main body portion from the outside of the hair clip;
The hinge cover portion extends from the main body portion and is arranged to move relatively downward and inward when the jaw portion is opened, or extends from the jaw portion and the jaw portion. The hair clip according to claim 13, further comprising a portion arranged to move relatively inwardly to the lower side of the main body when the portion is opened.

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